Libertarians Stranded in the Midwest

Absolutely, F***ing RELIGULOUS!!

2011-04-27T23:08:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching Religulous and, in retrospect, it was probably a bad idea given the hour. My classes start in about six hours and my mind can’t stop racing over and over the topics of science versus religion. Of course, the copious amounts of coffee I had earlier could be affecting my ability to sleep as well, but I decided to go ahead and type out my thoughts anyway.
A very smart Chemistry teacher made mention of something this semester that really struck me. She was explaining the scientific theory behind the creation of matter. In a nut shell, it states that matter comes from stars by way of fusion, the act of mashing Hydrogen atoms together over and over again to form new elements that float through space and sometimes our atmosphere as well. Her answer to any staunch Christians in the class was that it wasn’t a means of negating their belief that God created the Earth, but perhaps it was just the tool that he used to do it.
Why can’t that be a common concept amongst those of the religious sects? No one can deny the acts of nature and science that are around us. The weather man everyone listens to before they head of to work in the morning, the combustion that takes place in their engine when they fire it up, the chemical reaction the brain has to the caffeine in that first cup of coffee on the morning commute? It’s all science and to simply pass it all off as an act of God is just silly.
Now, I should probably go ahead and get the formalities out of the way. I am not an Atheist, but I do not believe in any one specific deity from any particular set of beliefs. I am what would be classified as an Agnostic, meaning, I don’t know. To go so far as to say that there is no God would be to have just as much conviction in unfounded beliefs as any hard core Christian, Muslim or Catholic. There has been no proof that there is no unworldly being watching over us, but there has been no proof that there is a God, either. I’m humble enough to admit that as one tiny little brain on an itty bitty planet floating in the rural back roads of the galaxy that I have no comprehension of things beyond my own reality. I just wish that those of religious belief could all have the same respect for people like me.
Could it ever be possible for a Christian to admit that maybe the bible was created as a method for those in power to control the masses via fear of a vengeful God? How could an all knowing, love filled savior condemn anyone to something as cruel as hell for acting out the natural urge to procreate and carry on the species without a piece of paper saying they will never change their feelings about the person they want to mate with? That’s premarital sex I’m talking about. It’s just silly.
Science is not the devil! I think those of religious views may fear it for the simple fact that it appears to be the closest thing to the disproval of God. If you believe in science, you have to believe in the possibility that the stories in the bible could simple be a misinterpretation of natural events going on in the world.
Take the burning bush, for example. Is it not possible that perhaps a bolt of lightning hit the bush and set it on fire? Is it also not possible that Moses, being so close to the bush, could have been temporarily deafened by the blast of the lightning? And, given the lack of human psychology and the understanding of how the conscious and subconscious mind work together at the time, that maybe, just maybe, the voice of God was actually Moses’ own subconscious thoughts on the morality that human being should posses towards each other?
Don't get me wrong, I think the bible is a great road map for how we should treat each other. I knew the stories growing up, and when you are young and innocent, they are a great form of guidance to keep us from becoming selfish animals that kill each other for our own gain. But, do I believe that it is indisputable fact? No. We all eventually stop believing in Santa, or the tooth fairy, or that if we spin in the a circle and say her name three times that Bloody Mary will appear in the bathroom mirror to kill us. Why can't we have the same maturity for Religious beliefs? At least entertain the possibility that we could be wrong?
Of course, I won’t knock anyone (too hard) that does take it as fact. I don’t know how anyone else thinks, or what it is like to be in another brain. But I do ask that religion please stop taking your anger out on science. By hiding behind a false sense of morality and the age old fallacy of good vs. evil, you are creating road blocks for human progression.
What if science is truly God’s gift to humanity? What if he wants us to understand, and he’s giving us a chance to save ourselves? I’m curious to know what those who have so vehemently devoted their lives to fairy tales will feel if the end of days comes and that there is a God, there is a heaven, but the front row seats to the show are reserved for those with the presence of mind to question everything around them?
Man, wouldn’t that be a bummer…

Crazy Weather

2011-04-22T23:13:00.001-07:00

Ah, crazy Spring weather. As previously mentioned, I reside in the midwest and the storm heading through is being a bit of a tease.
Anyway, this evening of scattered thunderstorms reminded me of the next post I'm working on. Global warming, or 'climate change' for the more scientifically squeamish, has always been a fascinating topic for me.
More research needs to be done before I start rattling off unchecked information. But for now, to anyone who might be reading this, I highly suggest a documentary titled 'Global Warming.' If you have Netflix, it's on instant view. It's a great use of one hour of your life and it has a lot of basic information. There are also clips of interviews with many different scientists across a variety if fields giving their professional opinions on the matter. It's only 56 minutes long, so it doesn't drag on. Well, it doesn't drag on unless you stop every minute and a half to take notes, like I did. I, however, have a persuasive speech I'm working on with the very topic.
I grew up on PBS, so I trust most anything they would publish, this documentary included. Beyond some of the basics the film covers, it was really nice to get a look at some of the solutions people are working on.
So, once I finish all my research, I'll be posting some opinions of my own and opening the topic for discussion with anyone who is interested, or might have questions.

(7:30pm from my front door - One of many storms to narrowly miss my part of town)

Introductions

2011-04-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

My name is not important, but if you need the formality, you can call me Ms. Fox.
I was raised in the Midwest. Born in Kansas City, my mother returned with me to southwest Missouri since before I could remember. And here I am now, a quarter century old and still stuck under the tyrannical buckle of the Bible belt.
It is not easy being a liberal thinker here, so I should hope this blog will help remedy some of the loneliness I feel. I make no illusions that most, or all of what I say may very well fall on deaf ears. But if one person hears me, if one person responds, or if one person is moved by, or begins thinking outside the status quo in reaction to my statements, then I can take comfort in knowing that maybe I helped pass on, or shared a sense of awareness with others out there.
This country is broken. It’s nothing new to anyone with eyes and access to news at least once a week. The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and the only thing growing exponentially is the economical gap in between the two. All the money, and thus all the power, is in the hands of less than one percent of this country’s population, and guess what? They will do anything to keep from having to give anything back.
Our scientists struggle constantly with the road blocks set up by religious fanatics and a false sense of morality.
In the United States, we pay twice the amount of any other country for health care, but we are rated at the bottom in terms of the quality of service we get from our hospitals and physicians.
The education system is failing our youth and producing more and more mindless sheeple who learn nothing but how to follow instructions without question.
These are only a few of the topics I hope to discuss through the duration of this blog.
When I look around, it would appear that not only are the cattle walking willingly to their demise, but they’re helping to build the slaughter house as well. I really hope that somebody out there, ANYBODY out there can help me feel like I’m not completely crazy, and I can do the same.
I am not any sort of registered journalist, but I want to say now that I will use my best judgment when discussing topics. I am also not afraid to admit when I am wrong. If mistakes are made in my writing, whether pointed out by another, or found through my own further research, I will take full responsibility for my error in communication, apologize, and be assured to correct any misinformation.
So, If you are looking for discussions, debates, links and news about our current state of affairs and are tired of the skewed perspectives of bias reporting, please follow me. Please comment! This worn down patriot needs to know that there is still something worth fighting for out there.